CBD & The Endocannabinoid System:
Humans and dogs - in fact all mammals - have something in common: the endocannabinoid system. This system affects the brain, skin, heart, eyes, stomach and mood. Cannabinoids are found in cannabis and plants related to cannabis, like hemp. Cannabinoids affect the endocannabinoid system. One of the cannabinoids that is particularly prevalent in cannabis is cannabidiol, also known as CBD.
In humans, CBD is shown to treat depression, appetite loss, glaucoma, sleeplessness, and more. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165/full As humans and dogs seem to be affected by CBD in similar ways, many scientists are trying to figure out if dogs can also benefit from CBD in the above-mentioned ways. As we speak, more research is being conducted on the benefits of CBD for dogs. In time, science will show us the full potential of CBD. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.569565/full
Physical benefits of CBD for dogs:
- Anxiety
- Seizures
- Pain and inflammation
- Skin conditions
- Arthritis
- Depression
- Appetite loss
- Sleeplessness
A reduction in over-threshold behaviours such as:
- Aggression
- Hyperactivity
- Separation anxiety
- Stress
- Fear
When it comes to giving CBD to any dog choose a quality product. The best CBD is full-spectrum CBD. This is superior to CBD isolate. Full-spectrum CBD contains trace amounts of other beneficial cannabinoids, which work to boost the effect of CBD.
- CBD oil and hemp oil are not the same. If a product is described as hemp oil but doesn’t mention CBD, the benefits of CBD will be absent. The packaging should state the mg amount of CBD in the product.
- A high-grade organic hemp is rich in Omegas 3 and 6 which helps a dog maintain a healthy digestive system as well as giving a natural shine to fur and coat.
It is important to understand that CBD can’t get a dog high. Other cannabinoids, notably Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are psychoactive, CBD is not.
Nb: while a dog can receive CBD oil and treats, keep them away from cannabis plants
I myself use a CBD to help my 11 y/o male dachshund with arthritis after the medication he was prescribed, Loxicom, revealed an upscale of his kidney enzymes during recent bloodwork. I gradually introduced the CBD whilst reducing the medication over a period of time and he is now on CBD alone and I can say that (apart from a little stiffness in the mornings, which he had with the med anyway) there are no visible differences in his physical activities (he still enjoys a run on the nearby golf course every morning and, shorter beach or village walks in the afternoon and evening) and, most importantly, less groaning when he gets up after sitting or lying down.
CBD is a useful tool to help keep dogs under-threshold during retraining programmes
however it is not of itself a behavioural solution
and is not recommended in place of behavioural management training
For more information and a full range of CBD products for pets
visit CBD and Your Dog @mcbayrshire on fb